Claimed By A Charmer (The Pith Trilogy) Read Free

chosen lady. His father’s command
instilled hatred for the duty, yet his father’s order would be done whether he
agreed or not.
    Douglas ripped the missive, knowing
if he contested the edict, he would forfeit his position as laird over the Kerr
Clan. She was certainly a beauty—if such a thing was important. He hadn’t
deemed it a necessary quality, although he hadn’t considered taking a wife
before. He arrived at her keep, feeling anxious. This day he would ask for her
hand as his father willed. Her acceptance would assure his future, and that of
the Kerr Clan.
    He entered the great hall wearing a
frown and feeling repugnance at being forced. Lord Farley, her father, stood by
the hearth and seemed gladdened to see him.
    “Douglas, come and rest. I’ve been
expecting your arrival. I received a message from your father saying ye would
come.”
    “Lord Farley, I am here to request
Morna’s hand and—”
    “Ye have it,” he said readily. “I’m
fond of the Kerrs, and the alliance will benefit both our clans. ‘Tis a proud
day for us all.”
    Douglas reflected on his first
encounter with Morna. He’d met her at the Shelmore’s, a border clan whom had
the allegiance of many clan, during a feast the month before. He had assessed her
character, and she seemed agreeable. Mayhap she would make him a good wife.
    “I’d like to search her out and
make the request myself, if ye don’t mind.”
    Lord Farley smiled. “Aye, as you
wish. She might be in her chamber. Go, lad, and welcome to the family.”
    Douglas bowed, left the great hall,
and took the stairs. He reached her chamber door, and startled when he heard
men’s voice through the wood. Morna was in jeopardy. Douglas threw the door
open and bounded inside. His intended wife fornicated in the arms of not one,
but two men. The sight of their naked, entwined bodies sickened him. The trio
hadn’t heard his entrance, and their position left nothing to his imagination. She
pleasured one by using her mouth, while the other pleasured himself by pumping
his body against hers. He frowned, disbelieving his eyes, and quickly turned to
leave.
    He didn’t stop to explain his hasty
retreat to anyone. He was thankful that he’d requested to seek her out. If
she’d been sent for, he wouldn’t have found out about her promiscuousness. Morna
wasn’t meant to be his wife, and he would tell his father so, when next he saw
him.
    Discharging the affair, Douglas
returned to the Highlands with his cousin, Brendan, in tow. Morna sent him
missive after missive imploring his return, but he hadn’t responded, nor had he
cared what her messengers replied. The only contact he could bring himself to
have with her family, was to send a message to Lord Farley explaining that she
wouldn’t adapt to his demanding lifestyle. He’d softened the dismissal because
Lord Farley didn’t deserve the harsh words he really wanted to impart.
    On the trail, performing sentry
duty for the MacKinnon clan, he wasn’t sure why he thought about Morna this
day, but his reflections ceased when his cousin shouted.
    “Douglas, halt.”
    Brendan scowled, probably for his
stupidity, because he hadn’t paid attention to their travel.
    “You’re going the wrong way, man. Where’s
your mind this day?”
    “Faigh muin, where are we headed?”
    “I thought we would stop by and see
Ellic.” Brendan looked at him expectantly.
    “Nay, can’t we go another time? I
just want to get home.”
    “You’re just sore ‘cause you didn’t
marry that English lass.”
    His cousin, Brendan, shoved his arm
in a quip, giving him a half-hearted frown that could be taken for a smile. Douglas
shook his head. If only Brendan knew the truth of the matter.
    “Nay, I didn’t want to marry her.”
    “You lie, she was too beautiful to
let go so easily.”
    “Nay, ‘twas her character that I
didn’t like. I suppose I’ll settle for one of our lassies though.” Douglas
laughed, trying to make light of it.
    “Why